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The weather conditions at Dick's Sporting Goods didn't stop forward Erick "Cubo" Torres from opening the scoreboard in the 56th minute against the Colorado Rapids. Former Rapids Martin Rivero sent a ball into the box where Torres simply headed the ball past goalkeeper Clint Irwin. Take a look at his eighth goal of the season:

In week 10 Chivas USA travel to the Rocky Mountains to play the Colorado Rapids in a Western Conference match scheduled to kick off at noon (PT) on Sunday. The Rapids are coming off a mid-week scoreless draw against the San Jose Earthquakes, while the Red-and-White are looking to get past a 4-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo last weekend.

The main goal for the Goats this week is to remain focused and finish the game with eleven players on the field, a task they haven’t been able to fulfill in three consecutive weeks. Starting goalkeeper Dan Kennedy returns from suspension this week, while his backup keeper Tim Melia will be serving his own suspension.

Both teams are trying to jump-start their season and still going through a learning process. First-year Head Coaches Wilmer Cabrera of Chivas USA and Pablo Mastroeni of the Rapids are having to deal with injuries to key players. The Red-and-White are missing four players who were starters for the club at the beginning of the season: Tony Lochhead, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Thomas McNamara and Mauro Rosales. Colorado will be without Brian Mullan and Vicente Sanchez, who will certainly be missed as he has netted six goals and collected four assists for the Rapids.

To help compensate for injuries and bring some added life to their respective squads, both clubs acquired new players this week. Chivas USA brought in Honduran international winger, Martin Chavez, as well as forward Ryan Finley, while Colorado acquired Gale Agbossoumonde from Toronto FC. It might be too early for these players to have a say in Sunday’s conference battle, but hopefully they will prove to be a good fit.

With all the roster changes due to injuries and new arrivals, the topic that rises is formations. So far this season, we have seen both teams experimenting with different shapes to try and find the best one to fit their team while counteracting their opponent. Many coaches will say they play a 4-3-3 system, but sometimes it looks like a 4-5-1. Others might employ a 4-4-2 formation, but one striker always will drop into the midfield to help defensively.

My point about formations is simple: no matter how many defenders you play with or how many midfielders you employ, it is always about each player’s specific job that a coach requires of them that will really tell what is happening on the field. Let’s take a look at Colorado’s Dillon Serna and Chris Klute. I anticipate Serna to come more inside where he feels more comfortable, allowing Klute to project himself into the attack. In addition, Jose Mari will probably sit more in front of the back four while the other midfielders attack.

Both teams have encountered issues in their attacking third, being unable to create and finish scoring chances. However, look for the movement of Gabriel Torres and Edson Buddle to cause some confusion for the Goats’ back line. Should Sanchez be fully recovered by Sunday, expect him to also add some flare to Colorado’s attack.

This weekend’s game should be an exciting one, with a lot at stake for both clubs, as they come out and battle in the altitude and the expected snow for the three points.

Next two games are travelling games. I have to admit, I definitely hate planes. I’ve been okay on planes, but every time I get on, I have to sit on the right side for some reason, like, we’re going where we need to be going. Then, I have to say hi to the pilots. “Good afternoon, sir. What’s going on? You have any plans after this?” I have to make sure he has plans because if he doesn’t, I’m gonna be kind of worried, you know what I mean? “You have a birthday next week? Okay, then we’re good.” Then, I’ll have a clear mind that he’s trying to get to our destination too.

Travelling is a thing that everyone kind of hates. In the beginning of my career, I travelled a lot. As a rookie, it’s fun because you see different cities, which is still nice, but after a while, it gets repetitive. And the flights are long, so I have to prepare myself for this. I try to buy snacks beforehand; Sour Patch Kids and Reese’s Pieces – those are my favorite (wink, wink). When I travel, I go to the store and buy Reese’s Pieces, gummy bears and a huge bottle of water – you know, I gotta stay hydrated, we have a game, otherwise I wouldn’t be on a plane! I also get a magazine. I’ve been reading GQ, but sometimes I gotta have my People Magazine, In Touch, you know gossip magazines just to keep myself entertained. I don’t buy them all the time, but when I do, I sneak them in between my GQ magazine, checking out what Selena Gomez is doing… just kidding!

For some reason, every time we’re about to take off, I pass out. I don’t know what’s up with these planes – not joking- I sit down and as soon as they close the cabin door and you hear the ding, I pass out. As soon as we’re in the air, I wake up. So weird.

A must for me to take on every trip: headphones, music and Candy Crush – hey, I’ve been trying to beat this level for the past two months and it’s irritating me! I’ll let you guys know when I pass it…

This week, Chivas USA will host Eastern Conference side the Houston Dynamo. Both teams are looking for a win this Saturday after starting the campaign with victories. Houston is winless in six games while the Red-and-White haven’t seen victory in seven. In my opinion, both sides need the points this weekend. However, both teams are experiencing injuries, concerns and suspensions.

Chivas USA will be without Tony Lochhead, Thomas McNamara, and Andrew Jean-Baptiste due to injuries while Dan Kennedy will sit this game out due to a red card suspension. The Dynamo have injuries of their own with their talisman Brad Davis being an injury concern and the loss of Tony Cascio to an unexpected knee problem. Bottom line: no excuses; both teams need to go for the win and get the monkey off their back.

The key to this game will be in how the coaches deploy their squad out on the field. Houston like to play with a diamond in midfield usually giving them a numerical advantage in the midfield against their opponents. Ricardo Clark will be the holding midfielder breaking up any attack that the Goats offer. The talented Boniek Garcia will have the responsibility of pulling the strings with the absence of Davis.

With the diamond shape in the middle, Houston will look to Corey Ashe and Kofi Sarkodie to project themselves forward and recreate the width going into the attack. To counteract that, Chivas USA need to get the ball wide early in possession to pull the diamond apart and exploit the space down the flanks.

If the Dynamo are able to shift across the field organized and close down one side, Chivas USA need to circulate the ball to the other side quick to take advantage of the open space.

Another thing that could provide a strong attack for Chivas USA is the projection of outside back Eric Avila. The right back is more comfortable going forward and can be instrumental in creating two versus one’s on the flanks.

Once again this week, look for Leandro Barrera of Chivas USA to be a handful on the one on one’s against Sarkodie and provide crosses to Erick Torres who still has six goals for the Goats and is looking to add to his tallies.

The forwards for the Dynamo, Will Bruin and Giles Barnes, will keep Carlos Bocanegra and Bobby Burling busy throughout the game. I anticipate Donald Toia staying home more to help cover Bocanegra and Burling on Saturday.

Game plan: get the ball out wide early and force the diamond of Houston to be pulled apart and make numerical advantages out on the flanks. In attack, rely on the three S’s: Speed, Service and Score!!!

Every locker room needs a fashion police… and that’s ME! Sometimes I bring a whistle, and I’ll have it around my neck and I’ll walk around the locker room. Then, I see shoes or I see what’s going on, I blow the whistle, especially when they walk in the locker room looking like zombies. Like, no, you don’t look like a zombie going to work; that’s casual Friday, and I MAY be allowing that – MAYBE. Every day is a different type of day; there’ll be one month where I’ll just wear collar shirts- I’m bored, whatever.

Sometimes, when there’s something that’s not in style, we’ll grab the shirt and we’ll hang it in the middle of the locker room. I must admit though, they’ve done it to me, too, but it’s not my fault they don’t understand what’s going on. This last time I was wearing denim, because, you know, Denim Day, and no one knew anything about that.

There are some guys out there that can dress really nice. To throw a name out there, one that’s always on point is Dan Kennedy. I like his style, it’s a little different than mine, but I like it. I like business casual; Leandro [Barrrera] is always on point coming in on gamedays, Bobby [Burling]’s coming in nice, but that’s gameday, I’m talking every day. Getting up from the couch and just rolling in… no! I’m gonna blow the whistle… in your face… twice!

Today’s a little bit like summer, so it’s getting HOT! You have to start rolling out the tank tops. I actually need to go buy some board shorts, but I need to hit the gym first to get a little muscle… and work on my tan; it’s a little outrageous. If you know of a cool place to get board shorts, let me know! As for the ladies, if you guys are looking for something, my friend Danise has a blog and it’s called Bikinis and Sugar. Click here to check it out! It talks about summer wear and trends, so it’s really cool.

But for the boys, I will always carry my whistle and blow it in your face. Who violates the code of fashion in the locker room? I’ll tell you who: Eriq Zavaleta and Oswaldo Minda. I gotta buy Minda socks and shoes. You know, this is an office, you can’t come in here looking like that!

It's okay if you do casual, but you just can’t be rolling in with sweats and no underwear… just kidding…

Will Erick “Cubo” Torres become MLS’ top goal scorer or will San Jose earn their first victory of the season? MLSsoccer.com’s Dan Haiek and Matt Doyle analyze and preview this Saturday’s match up between Chivas USA vs. the San Jose Earthquakes. Check it out & share your thoughts below:

Week 8 of the Major League Soccer season sees the California clash between host San Jose Earthquakes and Chivas USA. With the season just underway both teams are looking to catch some momentum. Chivas USA continue to improve each week but are still looking to gain more points from each game. If Chivas USA win, it will be the first road victory since March 24, 2013. With the Earthquakes winless streak this season, it looks to be a good opportunity to rectify that stat. San Jose are still trying to figure out what their identity is under new Head Coach Mark Watson, a tactician who has always looked to set up his teams in a more defensive shape. Last year, when he was named Interim Coach, the Earthquakes were 8-0-1 at home. In addition, the team didn’t allow a goal at Buck Shaw Stadium for 546 minutes starting on July 27 when Darlington Nagbe scored in the 83rd minute and ending with Stephen Keel’s 90th-minute header in San Jose’s final game of the season on Oct. 26. With that being said the Earthquakes lack an attacking flavor to their game. Especially with an injured Steven Lenhart being sidelined with a left MLC sprain, the Quakes can only rely on Chris Wondolowski to put the ball in the back of the net. However, Watson has stated he wants to improve their attacking play in the next coming weeks in the hopes of finally getting their first three points of the 2014 season.

Three Keys to Victory

Arial Battle

There is no secret to San Jose’s game plan. Get the ball forward as quick as possible and battle in the air for everything. They are a scrappy team that will leave bruises on their opponents. Lucky for the Red and White, the return of Bobby Burling to center back will offer a tall and strong presence to help counter act Alan Gordon in the air. Both Burling and Carlos Bocanegra are going to have their heads full with Wondo and Gordon battling in the air. I predict Wondo will try and run off Gordon and get on the end of any second ball. Besides a direct approach, the Goats need to keep a close eye on Shea Salinas who is a dynamic attacker who already has three assists and can provide crosses to Gordon and Wondo from the left flank. In addition to the Goats center backs, both Oswaldo Minda and Agustin Pelletieri need to be ready to pick up the second ball in the midfield. They need to act as a windshield wiper in front of the two center backs.

Set Pieces

Games are typically won by the smallest of margins, and in soccer set pieces more often than not are the difference between a win and a loss. As aforementioned, San Jose is a very direct team that lacks a lot of creativity in attack. But they are good in the air, and will be a handful on any dead ball situation. A coach needs to be able to find the best match ups when assigning duties on set pieces. I always tell my teams there are two factors when defending set pieces: 1) Organization and communication, and 2) Desire to win the ball over your opponent. The key for the Red-and-White is not to give away cheap free kicks around the goal or concede corner kicks. If that should happen, they need to be alert and ready to battle and scrap as if their life depends on it.

Possession to Penetrate

This game is a contrast of two styles of play. San Jose looking to be direct in your face style, while Chivas USA will be looking to improve their style of possession. I would like to see, just like every fan, possession being turned into scoring opportunities and goals. I expect Chivas USA to dominate this game in terms of having control of the ball, but they will need to be more creative if they are going to break down San Jose’s back-line. I anticipate Sam Cronin sitting in front of the back-four just like he did last week against Colorado Rapids, while both outside backs stayed home to maintain a clean sheet. The relationship between Carlos Alvarez, Erick Torres, Leandro Barrera and Mauro Rosales has proven to be a good one. Let’s take more of a risk and be adventurous to penetrate San Jose and comeback home with three points.